Method and apparatus for heating aqueous media



March 26, 1968 R. M. FRIEDENBERG ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING AQUEOUS MEDIA Filed Feb. 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //VVL /V7 0/?,5' ROBERT M. FRIEDENBERG,

JOHN Mamas A Tram/Ex United States Patent 3,374,926 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING AQUEOUS MEDIA Robert M. Friedenberg, Baltimore, Md. (7319 Laurel- Eowie Road, Apt. 204, Laurel, Md. 20810), and John Medige, 106 Wingate Ave., Buifalo, N.Y. 14216 Filed Feb. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 528,994 12 Claims. (Cl. 222-1) ABSTRACT UP THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed a dispenser for dispensing a heated aqueous medium having a casing assembly which provides a reservoir, a discharge outlet, a storage chamber, and a reactant chamber adjacent the discharge outlet. A thermogenic agent is within the storage chamber and an aqueous medium is within the 'reservoir. The dispenser includes means for segregating a limited volume of thermogenic agent from the storage chamber and passing it into the reactant chamber and for sealing the storage chamber from the reactant chamber. Means for discharging the aqueous medium from the reservoir includes a valve actuatable by pressure applied externally of the casing assembly and a conduit member open at a point spaced from the discharge outlet so that the discharging means and casing assembly direct a portion of the aqueous medium from the reservoir into contact with the limited volume of agent for thermogenic reaction therebetween and elevate the temperature of the reacted portion of aqueous medium which is then dispensed from the dis- I penser through the discharge outlet.

The present invention relates to aerosol dispensers and, more particularly, to a novel aerosol dispenser for aqueous media having self-contained means for elevating the temperature of the aqueous media being discharged therefrom and to a novel method for heating such aqueous media being discharged from an aerosol dispenser.

In the copending application of Robert M. Friedenberg, filed June 11, 1963, Ser. No. 286,982, now Patent No. 3,240,396 there is disclosed a novel aerosol dispenser and method for heating the aqueous media discharged from the aerosol dispenser which utilizes a thermogenic agent. In this novel dispenser and method, at least a portion of the aqueous medium in the aerosol dispenser is directed into contact with the thermogenic agent to produce a thermogenic reaction involving the water in the aqueous medium to elevate the temperature of at least that portion of the aqueous medium being discharged. In

this manner, the entire volume of the aqueous medium may be elevated in temperature, thus avoiding the requirement for using or applying relatively cold aqueous media to the body and oftentimes increasing the effectiveness of the aqueous media.

Although the apparatus and method of the aforementioned application are highly advantageous, it will be appreciated that the thermogenic agent must be safeguarded from reaction with water prior to the time of its desired utilization. As one specific means of providing repeated addition of the thermogenic agent to the reactant chamber there is specifically disclosed in the aforementioned application an embodiment wherein a slide is utilized to permit repeated insertions of tablets of the thermogenic agent.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and highly effective self-contained aerosol dispens- 3,374,926 Patented Mar. 26, 1968 "ice ing unit for heating aqueous media discharged therefrom wherein desired quantities of thermogenic agent may be readily discharged from a sealed reservoir thereof into the reactant chamber, thus avoiding premature contact between the main body of the thermogenic agent and aqueous media.

It is also an object to provide such a dispenser which is relatively economic-a1 and simple to construct and which is relatively simple and trouble free in operation.

Another object is to provide such an aerosol dispenser including means for ensuring thorough contact between the aqueous media and the thermogenic agent in the reactant chamber.

Still another object is to provide a facile and relatively economical method of supplying measured amounts of thermogenic agent for reaction with an aqueous medium.

Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the following detailed specification and the attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol dispenser embodying the present invention wherein the cannister is illustrated in phantom line;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view in elevation to an enlarged scale of the dispenser cap of the aerosol dispenser of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partially exploded view of the elements of the dispenser cap of FIGURE 1 which fit within the tubular housing;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the plunger rod and actuator rod core member assembly;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, partially exploded view to an enlarged scale of the impeller, actuator rod and lower end closure with portions thereof in section for clarity of illustration;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of another aerosol dispenser embodying the present invention;

FIGURE '7 is a sectional view in elevation to an enlarged scale of the dispenser cap of FIGURE 6 removed from the cannister and with the components thereof in sealed relationship; and

FIGURE 8 is a similar sectional view with the dispenser cap mounted upon the cannister which is shown in phantom line and with the components thereof in position for metering out thermogenic agent.

It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects and advantages can be readily obtained in an aerosol dispenser having a casing assembly providing a reservoir, a discharge outlet, a storage chamber spaced from the discharge outlet and a reactant chamber adjacent the discharge outlet. A relatively large volume of a thermogenic agent is within the storage chamber and the aqueous medium to be dispensed is within the reservoir together with a propellant for the aqueous medium. The dispenser additionally includes means for discharging a volume of thermogenic agent from the storage chamber and for sealing the storage chamber from the reactant chamber during passage of aqueous medium therethrough. In addition, means are provided for discharging the aqueous medium and propellant from the reservoir including a valve actuatable by pressure applied externally of the casing assembly and a conduit member opening at a point spaced from the discharge outlet. The discharging means and easing assembly direct a portion of the aqueous medium from the reservoir into contact with the limited volume of thermogenic agent discharged from the storage chamber into the reactant chamber to produce a thermogenic reaction between water in the portion so directed and the thermogenic agent to elevate the temperature thereof. The heated portion is then directed to the discharge outlet with the reacted medium in this portion being admixed with unreacted medium so as to elevate the temperature of substantially the entire body of aqueous medium flowing through the discharge outlet.

As will be readily appreciated, the reactant chamber and the storage chamber are conveniently formed in a separate cap member with a discharge nozzle so that this cap member may be readily applied to a cannister or pressurized vessel acting as the reservoir, the two elements in combination providing the casing assembly. The reactant chamber may comprise but a portion of the flow passage through the cap member so as to effect contact with but a portion of the aqueous medium flowing therethrough or the reactant chamber may extend across the entire flow path to effect contact with the entire flow of acqueous medium. Intermittent contact between tht thermogenic agent and the aqueous medium may be enhanced by the provision of baffling means within the reactant chamber or by inserting metal or plastic fibrous material therein.

In one embodiment, the separate cap member may be desirably adapted to repeated utilization with disposable vessels containing the aqueous medium. Thus, its exterior is configured and dimensioned so as to permit facile engagement upon the cannister or pressurized vessel and the structure desirably includes means for refilling the storage chamber with thermogenic agent.

The term aqueous medium as used herein refers to solutions, dispersions and emulsions employing water as the dominant component or vehicle thereof; i.e., in an amount greater than 50 percent by weight thereof and preferably greater than 75 percent by weight thereof.

The term thermogenic agent refers to hydrophilic chemical compounds which hydrate or dissolve readily in water in a strongly exothermic reaction and which will not materially affect the properties of the aqueous medium in either the anhydrous or the hydrated or dissolved state. Generally, such compounds are inorganic salts, although oxides may be employed when the basicity of the reaction product will not affect the properties or the application of the aqueous medium. For applications involving contact with the skin such as a shaving cream or shampoo dispenser, the hydrophilic thermogenic compound (and its hydrated form) should be non-toxic and non-irritating in even the relatively small amounts dissolved per application.

Full information concerning the thermogenic agents and aqueous media and propellants is set forth in the aforementioned application of Robert M. Friedenberg including various specific agents, compositions and factors relating to their use. As pointed out therein the thermogenic agents which may be employed satisfactorily are those chemical compounds which have a relatively high heat of solution per gram in relatively large molar ratios of water so as to avoid the requirements for large amounts of thermogenic agent to achieve the desired warming and also to avoid unnecessary interference with the aqueous medium. Various compounds may provide a sufficiently high heat of solution to provide feasibility of usage, including metallic oxides and hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide, calcium oxide and barium oxide, salts such as aluminum bromide, aluminum chloride, magnesium chloride, and stannous chloride. Of the various compounds having a satisfactorily high heat of solution per gram for convenient usage which have been evaluated to date, only magnesium chloride has the freedom from toxicity satisfactory for use in dispensers for aqueous media intended for topical application such as shaving creams and shampoos.

Magnesium chloride is the preferred and highly desir able thermogenic agent since approximately 5.3 grams of anyhdrous magnesium chloride will elevate 100 grams of Water about centigrade from ambient temperature if operating efficiently. Generally a material passing a No. mesh screen has been satisfactory to ensure effective contact. Although lubricants and anti-caking agents such as magnesium stearate and cellulose (AVICEL, American Viscose Company) may be added in amounts of 1.0 to 15.0 percent by weight, the preferred granular materials operate satisfactorily without such additives.

The present invention may be employed for warming various types of aqueous media wherein the reaction of a portion of the water may take place and will not materially interfere with the properties of the aqueous medium for the intended application. Generally, the aqueous media comprise emulsions, dispersions, suspensions or solutions of one or more active chemical components with various other compounds such as emulsifiers and stabilizers. As pointed out in the aforementioned application of Robert M. Friedenberg, soap formulations such as shaving creams and shampoos are readily and highly desirably warmed by the method and apparatus of the present invention. Generally such formulations are emulsions containing at least 75 percent by weight water and it has been found desirable to utilize formulations containing more than about percent water for optimum effectiveness. Specific formulations and stabilizers are set forth in the aforementioned application of Robert M. Friedenberg.

As is well known in the art, various propellants are commonly used in aerosol dispensers and are available for use in discharging the aqueous medium from the reservoir and creating foam. Generally, low pressure systems are contemplated having a pressure of about 1740 pounds per square inch and preferably about 25 pounds per square inch. Dichlorodifluoromethane and dichlorotetrafluoroethane are mostly widely employed, generally in combination in ratios of about 0.65-1.511.

The propellant generally is utilized in an amount equal to about 5-25 percent by weight of the aqueous medium.

The actual structure of the dispenser may vary by utilization of various elements for providing the stoarge chamber and the means for dispensing the limited volume of thermogenic agent from the storage chamber and for sealing the storage chamber. In one embodiment, the dispensing and sealing means includes a plurality of coaxial members having apertures therein and spaced between the reactant and storage chambers. At least one of the members has its aperture unaligned with the aperture in an adjacent member and one of these adjacent members with the unaligned apertures is rotatable to permit passage of a limited volume of thermogenic agent upon registry of its aperture with that of the adjacent member and to permit sealing upon rotation to its unaligned position. In another embodiment, the dispensing and sealing means includes a pair of axially operable members with cooperating surfaces providing sealing engagement therebetween. Means are included for moving the axially operable members into sealing engagement so as to protect and seal the storage chamber provided by one of said axially operable members. In addition, means are provided for operating the members so that a limited amount of thermogenic agent may be dispensed from the storage chamber.

In still another embodiment, a slidable member may be provided in a flow path for the thermogenic agent from the storage chamber. The slidable member is configured and dimensioned so as to permit passage of thermogenic agent thereby in one position thereof and is movable into a second position wherein passage of thermogenic agent is prevented and sealing of the storage chamber is effected. In a still further embodiment, a pivotable member providing the storage chamber is mounted within the casing assembly and means are included for pivoting the member so as to dispense a limited amount of the thermogenic agent therefrom. Sealing means cooperate with the pivotable member so as to effect the desired sealing action in its normal or unpivoted position.

In the preferred aspect the discharging means includes a member which is rotatably mounted within the reactant chamber and which has passages extending therein and opening at spaced points. In this manner, as the aqueous medium passes therethrough, the pressure of the discharging fiuid produces rotation and thereby provides agitation and highly efiective contact between the aqueous medium and the thermogenic agent in the reaction chamber. A further advantageous construction utilizes a rotatable. member which is actuated during dispensing of the thermogenic agent so as to break up any residual foam that may have accumulated within the reactant chamber to en sure proper distribution of the thermogenic agent therewithin and contact with the aqueous medium.

Referring now in detail to the attached drawings, FIG- URE 1 is an aerosol assembly embodying the present invention having a pressurized cannister generally designated by the numeral 2 and a reactor cap embodying the present invention and generally designated by the numeral 4. The cannister 2 generally employs conventional aerosol construction and includes an internal reservoir of a pressurized aqueous medium (not shown) and a discharge conduit capped by a spring-loaded, pressure actuatable valve 6.

The reactor cap 4 fits over the actuatable valve 6 and the adjacent end of the cannister 2. As seen in FIGURES that it receives the actuatable valve 6. Extending axially along the bore 16 is a slot 18 and extending radially from the bore 16 is a discharge conduit 20. Extending across the upper end of the sleeve 8 is a closure 22 and the sleeve 8 has a discharge opening 23 adjacent the lower end thereof.

Rotatably seated in the bore 26 of the closure 22 is a cylindrical core member 28 to which is secured a collar portion 24 in which is slidably seated the actuator rod 30. Limited axial sliding movement of the rod 30 in the core member 28 is provided by engagement of the radial pin 32 on the upper end of the rod 30 in the axial leg portion 34 of the inverted, generally L-shaped slot in the core member 28, and axial movement of the rod may be prevented by rotating the core member 28 to move the pin 32 into the peripheral leg portion 36 of the slot. At its lower end, the rod 30 has a radial pin 36 slidably seated in the slot 18. of the closure to prevent relative rotation and a conduit having an axial portion 38 extending from the lower end and. a radial portion 40 adapted to register with the conduit of the closure 10 when the rod is depressed to actuate the valve 6, thus permitting discharge of the aqueous medium therethrough. To facilitate rotation of the core member 28, the collar portion 24 is roughened to ensure finger gripping.

Slidably fitted onto the upper hub portion 14 of the closure 10 so that it may rotate thereon is an impeller member generally designated by the numeral 42 with a cylindrical hub portion 44 having an annular groove 46 about its periphery registering with the conduit 20 of the closure 10. A pair of wings 46' extend radially outwardly from the hub portion and have conduits 48 extending therein from the groove 46 to discharge orifice 50 spaced outwardly from the hub portion 44. Thus, as aqueous medium is discharged therethrough, the pressure of the stream issuing from the orifices 50 may produce rotation of the impeller member 42 about the hub portion 14- of the closure 10.

Spaced above the hub portion 14 of the lower closure 10 is a fixed disc 52 which is mounted on the housing 8 and has a generally semicircular aperture 54 therein. Mounted on the core member 28 for rotation therewith on the upper surface of the disc 52 is a wiper disc 56 having a notch 58 therein and a depending blade 60 adjacent thereto extending in the aperture 54 of the fixed disc 52.

Spaced above the wiper disc 56 and separated from each other by the rotating disc 62 are a pair of fixed metering discs 64, 66 which are mounted on the housing 8 and have unaligned apertures 68, 69 therein. The rotating disc 62 is mounted on the core member 28 and has an aperture therein which rotates from registry with the aperture 68 of the disc 64 into registry with the aperture 69 of the disc 66. The aperture 70 of the disc 62 is aligned with the notch 58 of the wiper disc 56 and the aperture 68 in the disc 64 is out of alignment with the aperture 69 in the disc 66 and the aperture 54 in the disc 52.

Stored in the space between the disc 64 and the closure 22 is a granular thermogenic agent 72 which is metered out during operation of the apparatus. As seen in FIG- URE 2, the thermogenic agent 72 falls through the aperture 68 in the disc 64 into the relatively large cavity provided by the aperture 70 in the disc 62. When the core member 28 is rotated until the pin 32 abuts against the end of the peripheral leg portion 36 of the slot in the core member 28, the aperture 70 is moved from alignment with the aperture 68 and into alignment with the aperture 69 in the disc 66. The thermogenic agent 72 then falls through the aperture 69 and through the notch 58 of the wiper disc 56. Since the wiper disc 56 is being rotated with the disc 62 by the core member 28, its notch 58 moves through a path over the semicircular aperture 54 in the disc 52 allowing the thermogenic agent to fall into the chamber formed between the disc 52 and end closure 10. As the wiper disc 56 is rotated, the blade 60 thereon breaks up any residual foam from previous operations so as to allow the thermogenic agent to fall in freely and elfective contact to be made with fresh aqueous medium.

After the thermogenic agent 72 has been metered into the chamber about the impeller member 42, the core member 28 is rotated to move the pin 32 into the axial leg portion 34 of the slot in the core member 28. In this position, the rod 30 may be depressed to actuate the valve member 6 of the cannister 2 and allow aqueous medium to flow therethrough.

The aqueous medium enters the axial portion 38 of the conduit therein and flows outwardly through the radial portion 40 into the conduit 20 in the upper hub portion 14 with which it registers in the depressed position. The aqueous medium then flows into the groove 46 of the impeller member 42 and outwardly through the conduit 43 in the wings 46 until it is discharged through the orifices 50. The jet action of the discharging medium tends to produce rotation of the impeller member 42 and accordingly agitation and thorough contact of the aqueous medium with the thermogenic agent 72 before it is discharged through the discharge opening 23 for use.

By locating the discharge orifices 50 on the sides of the wings 46, proper contact is substantially ensured since the aqueous medium is not discharged in an unobstructed path toward the discharge opening 23. The chamber formed by the spacing between the wiper disc 56 and the disc 66 provides an air seal cooperating with the sealing action of the discs 64, 66 in cooperation with the disc 62 and the sealing action between the discs 52, 56 to prevent moisture contact with the reservoir of thermogenic agent 72.

It will be appreciated that the aerosol assembly may be used without relying upon the thermogenic agent 72 to discharge cold medium in accordance with conventional practice by not metering thermogenic agent 72 into the impeller chamber and merely depressing the rod 30 so that the aqueous medium does not contact the thermogenic agent during its passage to the discharge opening 23.

Referring now to the embodiment of FTGURES 6-8, the cylindrical sleeve or housing 160 has a four-legged slot 102 adjacent the upper end thereof and a discharge orifice 104 adjacent the lower end thereof. Extending across the lower end thereof is a, closure member 106 having an upper hub portion 107 and a lower hub portion 108 which snugly seats in the recess 110 about the valve 112 of the cannister 114. A cylindrical bore 116 extends coaxially therethrough and slidably receives the cylindrical plunger portion 118 at the lower end of the plunger member generally designated by the numeral 120.

As can be seen, the plunger member 120 has a hollow cup portion 120 at its upper end which is of relatively ,large diameter and which has a beveled outer surface 121 :at the upper end thereof. A discharge conduit generally designated by the numeral 122 is provided in the plunger portion 118 with an enlarged portion 124 which receives the end of the valve 112 of the cannister 114. The portion 126 of the conduit 122 adjacent the discharge opening is inclined downwardly and is located so that the opening therein is below the top of the hub portion 107 when it is in its lowermost position, thus allowing the hub portion 107 to act as a seal therefor in this position.

Siidably seated in the upper end of the housing 100 is a cap 128 having a recess 130 formed in its lower surface with beveled edges 132 cooperating with the beveled outer surface 121 on the cup portion 120 to provide a tight seal therebetweenv A radially extending pin 138 on the cap 128 seats in the slot 102 in the housing 1% so as to permit only limited relative movement therebetween.

The cup portion 120 contains a relatively large volume of thermogenic agent 134 and a compression spring 135 which exerts pressure upon the cap 128 so as to bias the cap and the cup portion apart. When the pin 138 is disposed in the circumferential leg portions 102b, 102d of the slot, the cap 128 is held tightly against the plunger member 120 so that sealing action takes place between the beveled surface 121, 132 thereof. When the cap 128 is rotated to move the pin 138 into the upwardly extending axial portion 102a of the slot, the cap 128 is biased away from the cup portion 120 so as to provide a spacing therebetween.

In this position, the user may shake a small quantity of thermogenic agent 134 from the cup portion 120 into the main chamber of the housing 100. When the cap 128 is depressed and rotated to move the pin 13% into the axial leg 102e, the cap 128 and cup portion 120 are initially brought into sealing engagement. Further depression of the cap 128 will depress the plunger member 120 until the plunger portion 118 thereof actuates the valve 112 to discharge aqueous medium from the reservoir in the cannister 114.

The length of the axial legs 102c of the slot in the housing 100 is such that greater depression of the cap 128 causes plunger portion 118 to abut against the hub portion 107. The cap 128 may be rotated so as to move the pin 138 into the circumferential leg 102d of the slot in the housing 100 to lock the assembly in a position wherein the sealing surfaces 121, 132 are held in firm sealing engagement by the biasing pressure of the spacing 136. Thus, the reactor cup may be shipped and stored in sealed relationship.

It will be appreciated that a simple shaking action will be sufficient to dispense 'an appreciable quantity of the thermogenic agent from the storage chamber when the members 120, 128 are in the biased apart position. To avoid excessive stress upon the components and, more particularly, the spring of the valve 112 of the cannister 114-, the spring 136 should not exert excessive force and is desirably constructed of relatively fine piano wire sufficient only to provide the force necessary to bias the cap 128 away from the plunger member 120.

The illustrated construction may be readily modified so as to continually utilize the plunger-shaker concept while providing an arrangement wherein the valve 112 is allowed to remain closed in the sealed position of the members 120, 128. For example, the spring in such a construction may be a tension spring tending to draw the members 120, 128 into sealing engagement and a rod may be slida'bly seated in the cap 128 so as to separate the plunger element 120 from the cap 128 upon application of suitable pressure thereto. Upon release of the pressure from the rod, the elements are immediately returned into sealing engagement. In place of using a tension spring in such an arrangement, a compression spring may be provided so that it coaxially surrounds the plunger element 120 and bears on the end closure 106 and cap 128. In such a structure, the cap 128 would have a pin which could be looked in an intermediate position in a slot in the housing wherein it would be in sealing engagement with the plunger member 120. Release of the pin from this intermediate location would bias the cap 128 upwardly so as to permit dispensing of thermogenic agent therefrom. Again, this slot would have an elongated axial portion so that depression of the cap 128 past this intermediate position would depress the plunger member sufficiently to actuate the valve 112 and discharge aqueous medium.

It will be readily appreciated that various modifications may be made to the structures hereinbefore illustrated and described. Since it is necessary only to provide a self-contained dispenser or separate dispenser cap as the case may be, providing a storage chamber filled with the thermogenic agent, a reactant chamber and a form of dispensing and sealing means which will permit limited discharge of thermogenic agent from the storage chamber and sealing of the storage chamber during operation of the valve to discharge aqueous medium into the reactant chamber.

The casing assembly, including separate cap and reservoir elements when employed, may be fabricated from metal, glass, plastic-coated glass or suitable synthetic resins such as nylon, melamine-formaldehyde, phenolformaldehyde, and polycarbonate. When synthetic resin is used for the cap element, it should be relatively resistant to localized internal temperatures of about to degrees Fahrenheit. By use of synthetic resins for the cap element, complex formations may be readily molded therein by compression or injection molding techniques.

Thus, it can be seen from the foregoing detailed specification and drawings that the present invention provides a novel and highly effective dispensing unit for heating aqueous medium discharged therefrom wherein desired quantities of the thermogenic agent may be readily discharged from a sealed storage chamber or reservoir thereof into the reactant chamber. In this manner, premature contact betwen the main volume of the thermogenic agent and the aqueous medium may be avoided. Moreover, the dispenser embodying the present invention may be adapted to utilization with assemblies using means for expelling the aqueous medium other than pressurized gas such as, for example, a squeeze-type container, or a pump, etc. The dispenser is relatively economical and simple to construct and is relatively simple and trouble free in operation. If so desired, the dispensing unit is adaptable to provision of a separate dispensing cap for placement upon new cannisters of aqueous media and may be provided with means for refilling the storage chamber with the thermogenic agent.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. A dispenser for dispensing a heated aqueous medium comprising: a casing assembly providing a reservoir, a discharge outlet, a storage chamber, and a reactant chamber adjacent said outlet; a thermogenic agent in said storage chamber; an aqueous medium in said reservoir; means for segregating a limited volume of thermogenic agent from said storage chamber and passing it into said reactant chamber and for sealing said storage chamber from said reactant chamber; and means for discharging aqueous medium from said reservoir including a valve actuatable by pressure applied externally of said casing assembly and a conduit member opening at a point spaced from said discharge outlet, said discharging means and casing assembly directing a portion of the aqueous medium from said reservoir into contact with the limited volume of thermogenic agent segregated from said storage chamber into said reactant chamber to produce a thermogenic reaction between water in said portion and the thermogenic agent to elevate the temperature of said portion and thence directing said portion to the discharge outlet with reacted medium in said portion being admixed with unreacted medium to provide a heated admixture of aqueous medium which is then dispensed from said dispenser through said discharge outlet.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said portion comprises substantially all of said aqueous medium being discharged from said reservoir.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said discharging means includes a member having openings therein at spaced points and rotatable within said reactant chamber by the pressure of aqueous medium discharging therefrom.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said segregating and sealing means includes a plurality of coaxial members having apertures therein, at least one of said members having its aperture unaligned with the aperture in an adjacent member and one of said adjacent members having unaligned apertures being rotatable to permit passage of a limited volume of thermogenic agent upon registry of its aperture with that of the adjacent member and sealing upon rotation to its unaligned position.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said segregating and sealing means includes a pair of axially separable members with cooperating surfaces providing sealing engagement therebetween, means for moving said axially separable members into sealing engagement, and means for separating said axially separable members and wherein said storage chamber is provided by one of said axially separable members, said thermogenic agent passing from said storage chamber upon axial separation of said separable members.

6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said segregating and sealing means includes a member slidably mounted in said casing assembly configured and dimensioned to provide a flow path for thermogenic agent from said storage chamber to said reactant chamber in one position thereof, said slidably mounted member being movable close said flow path and provide sealing action.

7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said segregating and sealing means includes a member pivotably mounted within said casing assembly and providing said storage chamber, and means for pivoting said pivotably mounted member to pass a limited volume of thermogenic agent therefrom into said reactant chamber.

8. A dispenser for dispensing a heated aqueous medium comprising a casing assembly having a reservoir cannister and a cap member secured thereto, said cap member having a discharge outlet therefrom, a reactant chamber adjacent said outlet, and a storage chamber spaced from said outlet; a thermogenic agent in said storage chamber; an aqueous medium in said reservoir cannister; means for segregating a limited volume of thermogenic agent from said storage chamber and for sealing said storage chamber; and means for discharging said aqueous medium from said reservoir cannister into said cap member including a valve actuatable by pressure applied externally of said casing assembly and a conduit member opening at a point spaced from said discharge outlet, said discharging means and casing assembly directing a portion of the aqueous medium from said reservoir cannister into contact with the limited volume of thermogenic agent segregated from said storage chamber to produce a thermogenic reaction between water in said portion and said thermogenic agent to elevate the temperature of said portion and thence directing said portion to said discharge outlet with reacted medium in such portion being admixed with unreacted medium thereby to elevate the temperature of the admixture of aqueous medium which is then dispensed from said dispenser through said discharge outlet.

9. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein said segregating and sealing means includes a plurality of coaxial members having apertures therein, at least one of said members having its aperture unaligned with the aperture in an adjacent member and one of said adjacent members having unaligned apertures being rotatable to permit passage of a limited volume of thermogenic agent upon registry of its aperture with that of the adjacent member and sealing upon rotation to its unaligned position.

10. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein said segregating and sealing means includes a pair of axially separable members with cooperating surfaces providing sealing engagement therebetween, means for moving said axially separable members into sealing engagement, and means for separating said axially separable members and wherein said storage chamber is provided by one of said axially separable members, said thermogenic agent passing from said storage chamber upon axial separation of said separable members.

11. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein said discharging means includes a member having openings therein at spaced points and rotatable within said reactant chamber by the pressure of aqueous medium discharging therefrom.

12. The method of dispensing a warm aqueous medium comprising releasing a relatively small amount of a thermogenic agent from a relatively large volume thereof into a reactant chamber and then segregating said large volume from said reactant chamber; releasing an aqueous medium from a reservoir; passing a portion of said aqueous medium into contact with said amount of thermogenic agent in said reactant chamber to form a mixture with said relatively small amount of thermogenic agent therein while sealing said large volume thereof to produce a thermogenic reaction between water in said mixture and said thermogenic agent and thereby to elevate the temperature of said reacted portion of said mixture; admixing said reacted portion with the unreacted portion of the aqueous medium released from said reservoir to heat substantially the entire volume thereof; and thereafter dispensing said heated aqueous medium from said reactant chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,303,618 5/1919 Turreltini 126-263 2,042,103 5/1936 Hyde et a1. 1266-263 X 2,584,781 2/1952 Beatty 222-362 2,604,235 7/1952 Teston ZZZ-457.5 X 2,626,785 1/1953 Lewis et a1. 222145 X 3,101,905 8/1963 Hoenig 222-193 X 3,200,997 8/1965 Creswick 222-145 3,240,396 3/1966 Friedenberg 222-394 X 3,281,018 10/1966 Abplanald et al. 239- X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner. RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner. 

